Do or Don't: The One-Piece.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

 When we were down in Costa, I had a lot of time to think about bathing suits. Given that we were there for 4 weeks, we saw about 4 different turnovers of visitors, which led to quite a bit of discussion about the do's and don'ts of bathing suits. Some are just so bad, and some are so so good, and the rest fall somewhere in-between. 

This year, I was surprised to see so many young girls, with killer bodies, rocking the one-piece. This was something that I used to think was reserved for the older (me) women, and those post-pregnancy (me, again). Never did I consider in my youth wearing a one-piece, and after seeing great suit after great suit, I am left to wonder why. Sure, a great bikini is good for a tan, but there is something about a well done one-piece that brings such an added layer of class, and fashion to the beach, that I think I might be almost fully converted to solely a one-piece wearer.

 I currently own one, that I bought post baby, and I have to tell you, I absolutely love wearing it. It is so nice to be able to sit in the sand digging holes, without having to look down to see my skin hanging all around (those of you who have had kids know exactly what I'm talking about.) In addition, I'm pretty sure nothing looks better than a printed one-piece, pared with a chambray shirt, and a straw hat. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the one-piece just might be the new bikini. Gasp. Sure, I will still hang on to my teeny bikinis for those trips away with my husband where all I have to do is lay around all day (heaven) but I think any new additions to my beach wardrobe will definitely be of the full coverage variety.  

There are some great sales out there on suits right now, so I picked out a few that I currently have my eye on. #5, I'm talking directly to you!

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What do you all think? Is a one piece a do or a don't? I'm pretty sure anything that lets me have that extra margarita and is still slimming, is always... always... a do. 

What a Week.

Monday, July 29, 2013

 Where to begin... 


The week began great! We arrived home late last Saturday evening, and were ecstatic with how well the boys did traveling. They really were a dream, which pretty much makes me want to take them everywhere from now on!



On Sunday, I was able to meet my incredibly perfect Goddaughter, Hailey who was HOME, and upon leaving, the LM declared that, "he really needed a baby sister, so he wouldn't have to borrow his friends." I had to let him know that unfortunately we will have to share, but luckily her momma won't mind... until she's 16 ;)


Monday, the LM started his first day of Camp, and immediately caught his first fish. In the beginning he was so brave taking the bus for the first time, which of course he now hates, but I was so proud of what an adventurous little boy he was. And yes, I still make him take the bus.







On Tuesday baby boy turned 2, which was definitely a happy/sad day, because I no longer have a baby (sad) but he has turned out to be the most incredible little boy (happy) even though all he says is NO!!!! all day long. My in-laws came in for the big occasion, which ended up being the best timing ever, and the day was capped off with his three favorite things; donuts, tech decks, and a new basketball. 



On Wednesday, things went dramatically down hill. Prior to our return home, Gray had a bug bite on his bottom that looked a little angry. Over time he developed a rash around it, and Wednesday morning I took him to the Pedi to get it looked at. He was given a prescription for some mild antibiotic and sent on his merry way to school. After nap, he developed a fever, that quickly reached 103. He could no longer sit on his butt, or stand, and was breathing very quickly. I called the Pedi, who sent us straight to the ER. We were quickly admitted and spent the next two days in the hospital, with the little guy hooked up to IV antibiotics. We were released late Friday, and he seemed to be doing better. On Saturday, he was again looking a little rough around the edges, but with another antibiotic change he seems to be on the up and up. We were back at the pedi today, and we think he will only get better from here. Needless to say, I now hate mosquitoes more than ever, and will run, not walk, to the nearest doctor the second he looks like he may have an infection. 






Our weekend was surprisingly calm, given the events that had transpired. We were planning to take the LM camping, but decided it would be better to stay close to home, so instead we went to NH for a double header skate/surf session. He was thrilled to have his mom and dad all to himself, and it was nice to get a little break from home. On Sunday, we reveled in some more family time, and did our usual park runs, followed by dinner at one of our favorite places. 

... and now it's Monday. 

 I'm not really sure what else there is to say. Being in a hospital with a sick kid is like nothing else. All I could think, the entire time we were there, was how lucky we were that we only had a two day stay. All around us were families who were actually living there, beside their kids who were way sicker than mine, and my heart was breaking for them every second. Next year, when Gray is in school full time, I think I'd like to become one of the volunteers on the pediatrics floor. When I was there alone for the entire day, unable to leave the side of Gray's crib, I can't tell you how amazing it was to have someone come in and bring him toys from down the hall, and offer to pick me up a coffee. These two things changed our entire day, and I can't think of a better way to spend the morning than doing that for someone else. 

A lot perspective was gained from my end last week. I hope I can hold on to it moving forward. 

So, that's where I've been. I hope you all have had a great week, and were able to escape the heat and rain. I'm hoping to be back to my regular posting, barring any more surprises, so I hope you keep checking back to follow our little journey through life... curveballs sure to be included :)


It's a Wrap.

Thursday, July 18, 2013




 ... and we made it! 

30 days, in the middle of nowhere, together. At end of last year's trip we felt like we were simply surviving, whereas this year we are actually thriving. I'm sure it has a lot to do with the kids being older, but this will most definitely go down as our best family trip, ever. The other night my husband and I were talking about childhood memories, and we realized that most of them came from vacations that we took with our parents. To that end, I hope the kids remember roasting marshmallows over the oven, family surf sessions, countless hours spent making sand holes, chasing lizards and crabs and monkeys, oh my! Walking through the jungle to breakfast, running in the pouring rain, sleeping on bunk beds, late night Bob Marley dance parties, and laughing... a lot. Heck, even if they don't, I suppose that I can just bombard them with the 10,000 pictures I took ;)

Tomorrow begins our two day trek home, see you Monday!

Weekend Links.

Friday, July 12, 2013


Happy Friday! Today marks the one week countdown to our trek back to Boston. While we've been having a blast, I have to say I'm super anxious to get back home, so I can see my beautiful god daughter Hailey, who was born a little over two weeks ago. This strong little girl was more than six weeks early, and even though she's still in the NICU, at 5.8 lbs she seems to be getting closer to home every day. I've been getting texts and pictures from her amazing momma, but you all know, nothing beats the real deal, and I can't wait to rush home and see those sweet little fingers and toes in person. I'm hoping beyond hope that she beats me home, and soon I'll be relieved that I can finally meet my little Miss. 

Other than that piece of homesickness, things are great down here. Despite a rainy few days, it looks as though the sun is here to stay, and now we just have to soak up as much of this place as we can, because soon it will be time to leave, and we will again be counting the weeks before we can come back!

I hope you all have something fun planned this weekend, and that you can hopefully get some sun. What is up with all the rain on the East Coast? Wasn't this Winter bad enough? Maybe it means we are in for an extra long Summer. One can only dream, right? For those of you who will be huddled inside, here are a few fun links to kick of the weekend. I hope you all have a great one!

I've been attempting to make crispy shredded hash browns down here, and I finally got it right thanks to this awesome post. The key is rinsing the potatoes and squeezing out every drop of water. Sundays may never be the same in our house. 

I may be rethinking my stance on rompers. What a perfect Summer look. 

The first thing I'm making after we get home. 

For the past two weeks the LM and I got sucked in the black hole that is Candy Crush. Today I declared "I quit," only to get sucked back in a few hours later. After reading this article I may be done for good. The whole thing is just designed to take your money. Luckily, I'm only in about 4 bucks, so I can still sleep at night. 

I've been wearing Saltwater Sandals down here every day, and I was a little bummed that I didn't think I could pull them off back home because they are just so damn confortable. After seeing this, I think I'm singing a different tune!

For those of you with a black thumb, like me, what a great DIY project. I know from experience it's pretty hard to kill a cactus (I tried for years to lose my husband's from med school) and I love the uniqueness of this!

I absolutely love this chair. If I can't fit a desk in our guest room, I might just have to grab it. A good price for a classic piece. 

This had me rolling on the floor. As someone who thinks there is no such thing as too much sleep, I'm happy to see naps are doctor approved!

My next haircut FOUND. 

A great reminder. I'm curious to hear the rest of the story. Wouldn't you love to hear the Father's take? I have to hope that he was fed a different story by his child. If you have time, read the comments too...

I have to find a way to re-create this for the boy's room. It's too perfect. 

Finally, the most genius website. I have used this three times already for this trip! It's been right on every time. 

Just Like His Big Bro.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

 For the first two weeks we were here, Gray wanted absolutely nothing to do with the ocean. He was happy to play in the sand all day long, but when you asked him if he wanted to go in the water, he would shake his head and clearly say, "NO." For hours on end he would watch his brother surf, and boogie board, and even though he never likes to leave his side, something about the vastness of the ocean turned him off. Slowly, over the past week, he has been getting braver and braver, and finally preferred jumping waves to pretty much anything else in life. We had been asking him if he wanted to try his boogie board, that his Grandpa had given him as a early birthday present, but all he wanted to do was stand on the thing, rather than lay down, and we figured the whole thing was a lost cause. Until yesterday. Yesterday, our not even two year old, got up the nerve to try out the boogie board, the "real" way...and  the rest is history. 






I can't even begin to tell you how happy he was, to have the tables turned, and this time have his big bro cheering HIM on from the sidelines. The LM is so proud of him, and now the two can finally catch some waves together. 

Now, if I could only get him to wear pants...

Currently.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

 Well, we are officially  2/3rds of the way through our trip, and I find myself asking, "are my kids always this annoying?" All kidding aside, we are actually having a great time. Most of our house guests left a few days ago, so now it's down to just the family and my lone sister. As expected, the boys can't get enough of the water,  and I've definitely been enjoying some quiet time during the monster naps they have been rocking since our arrival. Other than that it's been business as usual. Here is a little glimpse of what "usual" is down here. 















I have a feeling these kids aren't going to want to leave in 10 short days... life in the city will forever pale in comparison!